As the state provincial and territorial psychological association (SPTA) representative for the
APA's Committee on Early Career Psychologists
(ECP), I lead the ECP track at APA's Practice Leadership Conference (PLC). I get to meet ECP psychologists from around the country doing incredible work to advance psychology. I appreciate Div. 31's support of ECPs and the opportunity to highlight the work ECPs are doing.
This quarter, we highlight Elizabeth Fleming, PsyD, an ECP Delegate at the 2019 PLC.
Fleming reports from Minnesota:
“The Minnesota Psychological Association (MPA) possesses a strong community of members who have been widely supportive of early career psychologists in the state of Minnesota, as well as the growth of a larger ECP Division. ECPs have a distinct position on the MPA Governing Council, and all ECP members are encouraged to participate on committees and MPA-sponsored events, such as our First Friday Forums, annual conference, and multicultural conference. Serving on the Executive Committee for MPA for the past year and on various other committees for six years, my main goal has been to bring the perspective of Minnesota ECPs to each and every topic of discussion to inform decisions about the future of MPA.
“The growth of a strong ECP division within MPA has been a focus for many MPA Governing Council members. In working directly with our division chair and the MPA student division, attracting psychologists who are entering the field of psychology as clinicians, supervisors, educators and researchers has continued to be a primary goal of our state association. I believe encouraging these members to join committees, participate in training opportunities, and share their opinions regarding the future of MPA is vital to the association's success. With multiple doctoral-level psychology training programs in the state of Minnesota, identifying incoming psychologists and encouraging them to join MPA with a free student membership has been a main goal this past year. Discussions regarding the development of a mentoring program have also begun, as most new psychologists understand the challenge of completing requirements for licensure, planning for financial success, and looking for employment in a variety of settings.
“Working to improve the future of psychology, the future for all psychologists, and the future for the clients we serve is central to what drives and motivates me to participate in advocacy efforts within Minnesota and nationally. Starting with my work as a student volunteer during my graduate program, I have served on MPA's Legislative Committee for six years and have testified in congressional hearings regarding proposed laws that directly impact the field of Psychology in Minnesota. I have also had the opportunity to engage in seminal discussions about possible implementation of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) in Minnesota, to engage with APA on advocacy for the continuance of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program by advocating in Washington D.C., at the 2019 Federal Education Advocacy Coordinators (FEDAC) Summit , participating in the APA Practice Leadership Conference (PLC), and in helping to raise money for the over 200 Minnesota-based students who were displaced by the closure of Argosy University.
“The opportunities I have been given by MPA and APA, including the strong focus on legislative and advocacy efforts, have had a profound impact on the way I view this field and on the role I intend on playing in its future.”
I really appreciate Dr. Fleming sharing the great work she and other ECPs are doing in Minnesota. We appreciate all the work that ECPs there put into their state association and look forward to more great things in the future!